Some conditions that qualify for disability coverage may surprise you.

While some disabilities are conditions that you wouldn’t necessarily expect – they all negatively impact the lives of the people who have them. At Share Lawyers, we know that the people who have disabilities need care and support, and will often need expert legal assistance to ensure that their claims are approved. These disabilities are serious and hinder those who have them in their daily lives.

You might be surprised to learn that scarring can qualify as a disability. People who have suffered from injuries are often left with debilitating scar tissue. There are three types of scars: atrophic or depressed scars; hypertrophic or elevated scars; and keloidal scars, which are a type of tumor. Atrophic and hypertrophic scarring injuries lead to redness, isolated healing, and thick scar tissue. A keloidal scar will grow beyond the initial injury and can be tender, itchy, and painful. If you have serious scarring, you may qualify for disability benefits.

Imagine how distressing it would be if your brain and neurons began to mix up your body’s signals. That’s exactly what happens to people with spinal cord injuries and nerve damage. These signals control a person’s reactions, both voluntary and involuntary. Spinal cord injuries often lead to nerve damage which compounds the problem. These injuries may appear quickly (like after an accident) or develop very gradually. Patients can even experience paralysis or numbness as a result of nerve damage. Some of the other possible symptoms are pain in the affected area, difficulty breathing, loss of bladder and bowel control, and muscle spasms.

You probably know someone with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or Crohn’s Disease. But did you know that these bowel diseases (and other inflammatory bowel diseases) are considered disabilities? They can be incredibly debilitating and painful, but they are treatable and as a result it can be difficult to secure disability benefits when applying without the help of an experienced lawyer.

Gender dysphoria, a condition that stems from the conflict between a person’s physical gender and identifying gender, is labelled a dysphoria due to its potential for significant discomfort and distress. This gender dysphoria condition legally qualifies as a disability. In order to feel comfortable in their own skin, a person who is suffering may seek out gender reassignment procedures, hormonal therapy and other serious medical solutions. They may also face considerable social hurdles as transgender rights are still being established. Those with gender dysphoria often suffer from other psychological issues, such as depression and anxiety – which can also require treatment.

Did any of the above disabilities surprise you? Until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, it’s easy to misread the gravity of a person’s situation. These unlikely illnesses and conditions can be extremely difficult to cope with.